Well, I was going to Fayette this weekend to do some deep-water bassin' until my fishing partner had to bail out.
So, I'm switching gears and heading to Conroe instead to try for some fryer-sized bluegills on ultralight tackle. I'm a newbie at open water bluegill fishing and could use some pointers from you pros. Like I mentioned, I'm using ultralight rods and reels spooled with 2 lb. test mono. Is this too light for fishing on Conroe?
I'm thinking about heading near the rip rap off the 1375 bridge or maybe around some of the deep stump fields further north and trying to locate schools or structure like ridges, humps, or ledges. My plan is to use meal worms, nightcrawlers, and Berkley gulp baits fished on drop shot and Carolina rigged on #8 hooks. Might also try using a bobber with a bobber stop that holds it 3-5 feet off bottom.
Can't wait to hear the sound of sizzling and popping fillets and hushpuppies. HooooWeee!

2lb seems light unless you just like being "sporty" or going for a line class record (do they have those for sunfish?). Most people I know fish with either 6 or 8lb line. Good luck, post a report.

Also- with live bait you will probably pick up some other species that will break 2lb with a single head shake.

Good luck. Conroe has some beauties. Hopefully you will find em. Lets us know how you do.





Side Note: I would switch my line to 6 pound and use a size six or eight hook. Two pound is extremely lite and hard to work with. Six pound is very easy work with and you can get some nice fish in. Just my two cents.

I've never fished for bluegills on Conroe, but I caught a fish on just about every cast on Fayette one time, probably fifteen years ago. Was using 1/16 oz. jigs and plastic bubble bellies. Would let it sink all the way to the bottom and they would pick it up. Found this place on the lake that I don't remember exactly where it was, but it was full of big gills.

When they are not real aggressive, I use live bait to catch them, pieces of night crawlers on a size six hook. A normal size bluegill can take a size six and I like it better than size eight, which is often recommended. Seems like I can get the bait on a size six better, but that's just me. I also think it keeps some of the small fish off of the hook, which helps since they are just a bother.

While you are searching for fish, I would recommend using a bottom rig with live bait. Just a hook on the end of the line and a number five splitshot pinched on about eight or ten inches above the hook, no cork unless you are fishing in heavy cover. I find that four pound line works well, and some of the good fishermen on the forum use six pound line. I tried two pound line, and while almost invisible, to me at least, it has too much stretch to suit me, and is easy to break if you lift a fish out of the water or have the slightest hang-up. It might get more bites in real clear water, I'm not sure. Good luck to you. Tome on the water is the best teacher. Keep moving around, using live bait, until you find them, don't stay in one spot very long if you aren't getting bites, if they are there and you put live bait in front of them they will eat it. If you are fishing close to the bank and only catching little dinks, make your cast a little further out from the bank. The better fish are usually a little further out and a little deeper.

Plus #1 on both Andrew's and "fish 'till I drop's post! Super advice.

2lb test is awfully light. Especially around riprap and especially in EasTex. I would reach for 6lb test in those conditions, but I fish with 4lb test as my go to line. Maxima makes a fantastic 3lb test in their Ultragreen line.

I fish for Sunfish in Lake Conroe a few times a week if not every day. I rarely fish them from a boat. Sometimes my kayak too, but mainly from shore. I have seen excellent fish come from other lakes and plan on trying my hand at them too. As far as Conroe goes, I love this lake for all kinds of fishing but those gills are super fun. I wouldn't ever use 2lb, way too small. "FTID" is right, if you don't get a few before long move on to the next spot. And if you're by the bridge try on the rocks and don't hesitate to try the pylons. I typically only Bass fish up north so I look forward to seeing a follow up report. Here are a few recent Coppernose.

Nice Fish!

Thanks Banker

Now THAT's what I'm talking about. My wife just informed me I'm taking her to the Hill Country this weekend, so I guess fishing is out for this weekend. But I'll for sure be taking a day off next week to get some time on the water chasing big 'gills like these. Full report to follow along with food porn...

THANKS VERY MUCH for the tips. This is great advice. I only get a few days a month to get my boat on the water, so I want to be as productive as possible. This really helps. A great weekend to you all.

I tried 2 lb and my eyes just aren't good enough to tie knowts with it. I use 4 lb. now.

Good luck "Garvin"! Hope you nail a bunch!

I made it up to Conroe on Friday and launched out of Cagle. I had no idea where to start, so I just headed up the bank. I caught a couple bluegill on beetle spins, then switched to nightcrawlers and caught some more. Explored some of the backwater areas, one of which I had to pole my way through a narrow cut in a foot of water to reach a deep, secluded pond where I caught the majority of fish. I also couldn't help throwing a few casts for bass and caught one on a Ned rig and one on a C-Rig. I also caught several cats, one of which went in the cooler. I caught enough to make a great dinner of fried filets, potato wedges, and hush puppies.

Noting wrong with that haul, and good eaten!
Man that is some beautiful fishy looking water!